List of Appliances That Run on Natural Gas

Michelle Strait

Natural-gas appliances were the norm before electric appliances. Gas appliances require an electrical outlet for power, but they use natural-gas to provide heat. If you want to use gas appliances, your home needs a gas line. Adding a gas line to an existing home might present a challenge or cost more than you want to pay. Contact your local gas company to discuss your options in detail.

Natural gas appliances are not a thing of the past.

Cooking Appliances

Alagasco reports that natural-gas ovens, cooktops and ranges are good for cooking because they provide precise and instant heat. When cooking with an electric appliance, you have to wait for the coils to get hot. Once the coils are hot, you have less control over the power of the heat than with gas. You can choose several settings between low and high, but you never know exactly which setting provides the best heat for what you are cooking. Gas cooking appliances remove the guesswork because you see the flame and can judge how low or high to make the flame for the desired heat. You save energy as well because the flame goes out as soon as its turned off.

Laundry and Water Appliances

Natural-gas dryers and water heaters provide all the heat for your laundry needs. Gas dryers output heat at higher temperatures and dry clothes faster than electric dryers. Your clothes also last longer because they tumble less in a natural-gas dryer. According to the Natural Gas website, drying two loads of clothes in a natural-gas dryer takes the same amount of energy and time you'd use for one load in an electric dryer. It's also possible to use a natural-gas water heater to supply your washing machine with water. A natural-gas water heater gets water hot faster than an electric model. As a result, you can wash more loads without depriving the rest of your house of hot water.

Home Heating Appliances

Natural-gas heaters keep your home warm and cozy. In addition to natural-gas space heaters, you can heat your entire home with a natural-gas furnace. A natural gas furnace also provides air that is slightly warmer than the air provided by an electric heat pump. The furnace also requires less energy and heats your home faster when compared to an electric-heat pump model. The Furnace Compare website reports that natural-gas heaters are efficient for home use because they last longer, cost less to operate and don't require tank refills like propane or oil.

Safety Concerns

According to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, more than 50 percent of American households use gas as their main heating source. Natural gas is clean and efficient. It's also usually safe, but potential problems do exist. For example, if a natural-gas furnace isn't installed correctly, it can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide in the home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to death. You might want to install a carbon-monoxide detector if you have a natural gas furnace or space heater. You should also have your gas appliances checked yearly to make sure they're in good condition. Gas lines can occasionally leak as well. If you suddenly smell an odor like rotten eggs in your home, it probably means you have a leak in your gas line; leave the home and contact your gas provider.